New dietary guidelines: Eat less, cut the salt

The U.S. government thinks you should eat more fish, less salt and avoid the drive-up window. Also on your plate: more breakfast, more plants and more physical activity.

The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services released new dietary guidelines Monday, advising Americans to eat healthier in an effort to shrink the nation’s high obesity rates. The new guidelines stress the importance of “calorie balance,” food intake to meet the body’s caloric needs.

Recognizing that merely issuing the advice isn’t enough to convince Americans to eat better, the 2010 version contains specific strategies for helping people to avoid added sugars, for example, by opting for water instead of sodas or sports drinks, and selecting fruit instead of a calorie-dense dessert to top off a meal. The revisions may not cause a stampede for the produce aisle at the local market, but they’re a much-needed step forward in curbing the obesity epidemic, not just among adults, but among children as well.

A national survey cited in the report shows caloric intake among women and men older than age 19 years is estimated to be 1,785 and 2,640 calories per day, respectively.

“While these estimates do not appear to be excessive, the numbers are difficult to interpret because survey respondents, especially individuals who are overweight or obese, often under-report dietary intake,” according to the report.

But the report notes that sometimes, healthy options aren’t available. Higher obesity rates are reported in areas with more fast-food restaurants. And some work and school environments don’t make healthy foods readily available.